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The Skinny on The Cheesecake Factory's SkinnyLicious Menu

Just weeks after their Factory Farmhouse Burger appeared on a list of the unhealthiest restaurant meals, The Cheesecake Factory announced plans to roll out their new "SkinnyLicious" menu.Coincidence? Maybe not.The new menu will start appearing in stores on August 9 as...

While we don't want to downplay the Cheesecake Factory's virtuous effort (who can complain about a chain promising to replace potatoes with fresh veggies, top tacos with less cheese and make chicken salad with light mayo?), we're not convinced the popular eatery is the best choice for your health. Here's why:

It's the Cheesecake Factory! Any restaurant named after a decadent dessert is probably not the best option for health food. Even if they have a "skinny" menu, how can it compete with Brownie Sundae Cheesecake?

Portion sizes are gargantuan. Perhaps the best way for the Cheesecake Factory to slim down is to slash the portion sizes of all of their dishes in half. Since they're not likely to do that, our advice is to do it yourself -- and get the doggie bag at the beginning of your meal.

Ordering "skinny" is embarrassing. If you're on a hot date, chances are you'll feel a little less hot when you ask the waiter for a "SkinnyLicious" burger. 'Nuff said.

Eating out packs on pounds. A number of studies show that eating out and slimming down are mutually exclusive. And yet, the majority of Americans dine out four to five times a week. If you really want to lose weight, design your own meals -- even when you're in a restaurant. Ask for dressing and sauces on the side, opt for simply grilled meats and fish and request steamed veggies instead of fried potatoes.